We just bought a 1948 house in Kitsilano and want to repaint the interior. Should we be worried about lead paint?

Absolutely — any home built before 1978 in Kitsilano has a very high chance of containing lead-based paint, especially on trim, window sills, doors, and baseboards. Lead paint was widely used in Vancouver homes through the 1960s and wasn't fully banned in Canada until 1976 for interior use. Kitsilano has a large concentration of pre-war and post-war homes where multiple layers of lead paint may be present under newer coats.

Before doing any sanding, scraping, or renovation work, you should have the paint tested. There are two main options: an instant lead test kit from a hardware store (around $15-$30) gives a quick positive or negative reading, but lab analysis of paint chip samples is far more accurate. A professional lead paint inspection in Metro Vancouver typically runs $300 to $600 depending on how many rooms and surfaces are tested.

If lead is confirmed, it doesn't necessarily mean you must remove it all immediately. Paint that is intact and in good condition can often be safely encapsulated or painted over with a proper encapsulant primer. The real danger comes when lead paint is disturbed — sanding, scraping, or demolition creates fine dust that is extremely hazardous, especially for children and pregnant women.

Under WorkSafeBC regulations, any contractor disturbing lead paint must follow specific exposure control plans and use appropriate containment measures. As a next step, get a professional paint inspection done before any renovation work begins so you know exactly what you're dealing with.

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